TUCKED away between Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon, people living in Wychavon are said to enjoy among the best quality of life in rural Britain.

The Worcestershire district, which serves the Droitwich, Pershore and Evesham areas and with a population of just over 112,000, comes top in the West Midlands according to a study that looked at life expectancy, average incomes, level of educational performance and health.

It came 32 nationally in the list of the top 50 best countryside places to live under the Halifax Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey.

Wychavon is described as an area typified by "highly qualified professionals" who live in large detached homes, invest in shares, enjoy two holidays a year and play golf.

Average house prices in the area were £244,667 as of December last year, £60,000 higher than the average for the West Midlands region.

Wychavon is one of three places in the region to make it into the top 50 list – the other two being Herefordshire (45) and Bridgnorth (46).